Senior CNRP leader Mu Sochua was questioned for more than two hours on Friday at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in the case of a Radio Free Asia journalist accused of falsely identifying himself during a prison visit last week with opposition lawmakers.
Ms. Sochua, a vice president-elect, declined to offer details on the questions posed by the deputy prosecutor investigating the accusations against Huot Khin Vuthy, an RFA deputy director known on-air as Chun Chanboth.
“I have came as a witness to respect the summons of the Phnom Penh court and my answer is the truth,” she said, without elaborating.
Defense attorney Sam Sokong spoke briefly to reporters, but also declined to share details from the proceedings, saying it could “affect the questioning procedures.”
Opposition lawmaker Long Ry, also the CNRP’s head of security, on Thursday became the first witness to be questioned by the court over the April 19 visit to Prey Sar prison. He was questioned by deputy prosecutor Sieng Sok for more than two hours.
Mr. Khin Vuthy is accused of falsely declaring his position as an “assistant” to the CNRP lawmakers when he signed in at the prison before a visit a group of 16 opposition officials and activists imprisoned there. He has denied the accusation, saying he left the space for his job title blank.
RFA on Thursday issued a statement saying he was innocent and would not be cowed by government pressure. Mr. Khin Vuthy is set to be questioned on Tuesday.
As a result of the case, the Interior Ministry earlier this month announced that CNRP officials were no longer permitted to visit their colleagues in prison in order to maintain “public order.”
